Translating "靈臺", acupuncture point DU-10
The reasoning for translating "靈臺" as "Spirit Tower" from Chinese into English. This is the original name of acupuncture point DU-10 (Du 10).
Explanation of the point name
The 臺 tower here is a place for being higher above the ground, so that one can see more. Here it is the Ling spirit that allows one to see more.
1st character
Meaning
靈 is the Ling spirit, the Yin aspect of the Heart (the Shen is the Yang aspect).
The concept of the Ling can be found in the Daodejing, chapter 39:
神得一以靈 … 神無以靈，將恐歇；
The Shen attains oneness through the Ling … Shen without Ling brings fearful withering away.
The author sees Ling as either 'being oneself' or the 'divine aspect of oneself', depending on the perspective.
Point names with 靈
For consistency in the translations, it is necessary to be aware of how the character is translated elsewhere. These are the point names it is in.
| HT-2 | 青靈 | Blue-Green Spirit |
| HT-4 | 靈道 | Spirit's Path |
| KI-24 | 靈墟 | Spiritual Wasteland |
| GB-18 | 承靈 | Informed by the Spirit |
| DU-10 | 靈臺 | Spirit Tower |
2nd character
No other point names with this character.
Nearby points
Sometimes the names of consecutive points on a meridian are related. Being aware of nearby points can help to translate consistently in such a situation.
| DU-7 | 中樞 | Middle Pivot |
| DU-8 | 筋縮 | Muscle Contractions |
| DU-9 | 至陽 | Most Yang |
| DU-10 | 靈臺 | Spirit Tower |
| DU-11 | 神道 | Path of the Heart |
| DU-12 | 身柱 | Body Pillar |
| DU-13 | 陶道 | Pleasant Path |